Polymer chemistry for theragnostics

Stimuli-responsive nano-materials have been playing increasingly important roles in the biomedical field due to their ability to adapt their physico-chemical properties in response to external stimuli, such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, magnetic field, etc. Nanohybrids combining inorganic particles and stimuli-responsive polymers are particularly well-suited to develop advanced drug nanocarriers for targeted delivery and concomitant diagnostics.

Based on the recent developments in controlled radical polymerization, especially cobalt-mediated radical polymerization, various hybrid nanostructures have been synthesized and tested as drug delivery systems able to trigger the drug release in response to dedicated environment conditions or external stimuli. Studies on cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and in vitro triggered release with cell culture will also highlight the potential of these new materials.